The time of our visit here has been the 100 year anniversary of the "1916 Rising".  This is very significant in Irish history and is considered the most consequential event leading towards the formation of the Republic.  Wendy and I, (mostly I) have been able to attend local lectures, take walking tours, and learn in depth about that week. These events still affect Ireland today, both its potential and it's politics. Learning about all of this, from the economic conditions, to the Battle of Mount Street, to the Kilmainham Goal, to the eventual surrender of Pearse outside of the GPO, to looking at all of the bullet holes that remain in the downtown statues, has been a very enjoyable learning experience and enriched our stay considerably. 

There is a considerable amount of data published on this; here is a good place to start.

KILMAINHAM GOAL

"Kilmainham Gaol is one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland's emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s. Attractions include a major exhibition detailing the political and penal history of the prison and its restoration."

That is right from the guide book, but it truly isa fascinating place. A great display on the 'Rising" with a some excellent artifacts, and well worth the hour long wait to buy a ticket. Why on God's Green Earth would you have only one person selling tickets on a busy Sunday with tour buses puling up continually?



Then of course the sad part...where all of the signatories of the proclamation were lined up against the wall and shot.  "Lost the battle, but won the war", as public sympathy after these executions quickly turned to force an election for Sinn Fien and subsequently an independent Republic of Ireland.

An excellent tour, #1 on trip advisor!

 

COLLINS BARRACKS

Collins Barracks was an army base for nearly 300 years before being renovated for use as a museum. The network of tall, granite-faced buildings occupy an 18 acre site and retains an imposing, military air. Named after Micheal Collins, a soldier in the rising and a very prominent leader in the years after. The site boasts a rich and varied history. Completed in 1704, it played an important role suppressing uprisings over the centuries. Wolfe Tone, legendary leader of the failed 1798 Rebellion against British rule, was court martialled and imprisoned here. During the 1916 Easter Rising, troops based here tackled rebel positions on Usher's Island, at the Four Courts, and in the GPO.

Of course, during our visit there just happened to be a re-enactment of some rebels practising their drill. Kinda cute, and not very ominous. If this was representative, no wonder they lost. But the architecture is most impressive.

The Barracks itself now has been turned into a pretty impressive Military Museum, showcasing the various Irish conflicts through the centuries and now it's contribution to NATO. I have been through a few military museums, and this one is certainly worth a visit.

A bit odd to me, but the Irish National Museum of Decorative Arts and History is also housed here. It didn't keep Wendy amused as long as the Military portion kept me amused, but it did contain a significant amount of furniture, silver works, jewellery, and clothing.  Read all about it right here.